Sheet glass cutting apparatus



April 1940- J. H. MOLLER 2,197,560

SHEET GLASS CUTTING AFFARATUS Filed May 26 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 lhm entor c/oH/v H. Mom.

April 16, 1940. v MQLLER 2,197,560

SHEET GLASS CUTTING APPARATUS Filed May 26, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2- M m y J. H. MQLLER SHEET GLASS CUTTING APPARATUS Filed May 26; 1938 A ril 16, 1940.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q/OHH H. MOLLEK- (Ittomeg April 16; 1940- J MQLLER I 2,197,560

SHEET GLASS CUTTING APPARATUS Filed May 26, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3nnentor clan/v H. MOLLEE.

TBH

Gttorneg Patented Apr. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass 0 Ohio, a corporation of Ohio ompany, Toledo,

Application May 26, 193 8, Serial No. 210,111

8 Claims.

The present invention relates broadly to the art of glass cutting and more particularly to improved apparatus for cutting sheet glass after it has been annealed.

An important object of the invention is the provision of improved apparatus for cutting a continuous or substantially continuous sheet or ribbon of glass as it emerges from an annealing leer into sections of a predetermined size suitable for handling and is of particular utility in the cutting of very thin glass which cannot be handled safely in large sheets.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of improved cutting apparatus ofthe above character embodying means for first cutting the continuous or substantially continuous sheet or ribbon of glass transversely into individual sheets of the desired length, in combination with means for subsequently automatically splitting the said sheets longitudinally as they are carried forwardly.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of cutting mechanism of novel construction for splitting the individual sheets 1ongitudinally, including a cutting element having associated therewith ieeler means, actuated by the forward movement of the sheets, for bringing said cutting element into contact with each sheet at a point back of the front edge thereof and for moving the said cutting element out of engagement with the sheet just before it reaches the back edge, whereby to protect the cutting element against injury by being struck by the forward edge of the glass as well as eliminating chipping and spaiiing of the sheet edges.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. i is a plan view of cutting apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and showing in side elevation the cutting mechanism for splitting the glass sheets longitudinally;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken substantially on line H of Fig. 1 and showing in side elevation, the cutting unit and associated parts of the longitudinal cutting mechanism;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the longitudinal cutting unit and associated parts taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section taken substantially on line 6-4 oi Fig. 3 and showing in side elevation one of the breaking units for cracking the glass after it has'been cut longitudinally.

Fig. 'l is a plan view, partially broken away, oi one of the tiltable mercury switches forming a part of the cutter actuating means;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section of the mercury switch taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is an electrical diagram illustrating the operation of the longitudinal cutting mechanism. Referring now to the drawings, the numeral Ill designates the outlet end of a horizontal annealing leer of any conventional or preferred construction, and II a continuous or substantially continuous sheet or ribbon of glass emerging therefrom. Positioned closely adjacent the outlet end of the leer, in a manner to receive the glass sheet or ribbon therefrom and carry it forwardly, is a traveling cutting or capping table l2, which moves in the same direction as the sheet or ribbon II but preferably at a relatively faster speed for a purpose which will be more clearly hereinafter apparent.

The capping table I! may take a variety 0! forms but is here shown, by way of example, as comprising a plurality of spaced parallel endless chains l3 carrying a series of wooden blocks H which form in the upper run of the chains a flat, even supporting surface for the glass. Each chain i3 is provided with the two series of rollers l5 and I6 (Fig. 3) which travel in their upper run on the fixed horizontal supporting tracks l1 and I8 respectively carried by the longitudinally extending angle beams lfland 20. The endless chains I3 are trained at each end of their loop about a sprocket or the like 2| and one of the sprockets may be positively driven in any preferred manner to move the table I! in the proper direction and at the desired speed.

As the ribbon of glass ll emerges from leer ill upon capping table l2, it is adapted to be first cut transversely into individual sheets of the desired length by the cutting mechanism designated in its entirety by the letter A after which the said sheets are adapted to be split longitudinally by the cutting mechanism designated generally by the letter B. The transverse cutting mechanism A may be of any conventional or approved construction but is preferably of the general type disclosed in the patent to J. L. Drake, No.

1,724,261, granted August 13, 1929, and is adapted for movement with the glass during the trans-* verse scoring thereof whereby to permit accurate cuts to the end that the ribbon of glass can be cut transversely either to size or substantially to size.

The transverse cutting mechanism herein disclosed embodies generally a pair of carriages 22 and 23 arranged at opposite sides of the endless capping table I? and movable longitudinally thereof upon suitable tracks, not shown, but which are located beneath the upper horizontal run of said table. Extending transversely across the table and connecting the carriages 22 and 23 is a supporting cross member 24 upon which is slidably mounted a cutter carrier 25 carrying the cutter 26. The cutter carrier 25 and cutter 26 are movable along the cross member 24 by an operating rod 21 and upon drawing of the said cutter across and in contact with the glass II, it is adapted to effect the scoring thereof as indicated at 28. The glass ribbon i l is then broken along the score line 28 in the well known manner to provide individual sheet sections, one of which is shown at 29 in Fig. 1. Any suitable means may be employed for causing the cutting mechanism A to move with the glass during the scoring of the latter.

As the individual sheets 29 of the desired length are cut by the transverse cutting mechanism A from the forward end of the continuous or substantially continuous ribbon H, the said sheets are carried forwardly upon the capping table beneath the longitudinal cutting mechanism B which acts to score the said sheets longitudinally, intermediate the side edges thereof, as indicated at 30 in Fig. 1. The sheets are then adapted to be cracked along the score line 30, by apparatus to be more fully hereinafter described, to complete the splitting of said sheets. The longitudinal cutting mechanism B comprises a substantially horizontal rectangular supporting frame 3| including the longitudinally extending parallel side members 32 and 33 connected at their inner ends by the transverse end member 34 and at their outer ends by the transverse end member 35. As shown, the side members 32 and 33 and end member 35 consist preferably of angle beams, while the end member 34 may consist simply of a substantially fiat plate secured upon the tops of said side members (Fig. 3).

Carried at the outer end of the supporting frame 3| is the cutting unit 38, which will be more fully hereinafter described, while the said supporting frame is pivotally associated at its inner end with a fixed transverse angle member 31 supported at its opposite ends by standards 38 and 39 and constituting a part of the walk 40 which extends across the capping table. Mounted upon the horizontal flange of the transverse angle member 37, at opposite sides of the transverse center of the capping table, are substantially L-shaped brackets 4| and 42 to which the supporting frame 3i of the longitudinal cutting mechanism B is pivoted. More specifically, the brackets 4| and 42 are secured to the transverse angle member 31 by bolts 43 and 44 which pass through slots 45 and 46 formed in the horizontal portions of said brackets 4| and 42 respectively so that the said brackets can be ad justed transversely of the capping table to the desired position. The inner end of the supporting frame 3i is received between the brackets 6i and t2, and the side members 32 and 33 of said frame are provided with ears 41 and 48 respectively which are pivotally connected with the said brackets by screws .43 and 50 inserted horizontally through the vertical portions of the said brackets.

With such a construction, the cutting unit 36 can be readily moved out of cutting position relative to the glass by swinging the supporting frame 3| upwardly upon the screws 49 and 59 as shown by the broken lines in Fig. 2. The means herein provided for raising and lowering the supporting frame 3| comprises a cable 5i attached at its lower end to an angle strip 52 carried by said frame and passing upwardly first about a freely rotatable roller 53 and then over a pulley 54 hung from a suitable support 55. The roller 53 is carried by 9. depending bearing bracket 56 secured to a stationary transverse channel beam 51 having an opening therein through which the cable 5! can pass. Carried by the channel beam 51 is a fixture 58 to which is pivoted, as at 59, a latch 60, the forward notched end of which is adapted to hook over a latch plate 6| carried by the supporting frame 3| when the said frame is in raised position.

When it is desired to raise the cutting mechanism B to its substantially vertical broken line positionshown in Fig. 2, it is simply necessary for the operator, while standing upon the walk 40, to pull downwardly on the free end 5la of cable 5| which will swing the cutting mechanism upwardly, and this movement is continued until the latch 50 drops over the latch plate 6! whereupon the cutting mechanism will be locked in raised position. When it is desired to again lower the cutting mechanism, it is simply necessary for the operator to push downwardly upon the inner end 60a of latch 60 thereby moving the said latch out of engagement with latch plate 6!. At this time, the operator should of course have a firm grip on cable 5! so as to prevent the cutting mechanism from falling too rapidly. The outer end of the latch 60 is prevented from dropping too far downwardly upon lowering of the cutting mechanism by a set screw 62 passing transversely through a lug 63 formed on said latch and engaging the adjacent vertical flange of the channel beam 51. When the cutting mechanism is in its lowered horizontal position, it is supported by a chain 64 attached at its lower end to the angle strip 52 and at its upper end to the bearing bracket 56.

The longitudinal cutting unit 36 is of the electrically operated type, such as disclosed in the patent to E. A. Rosin, No. 2,022,739 granted December 3, 1935, and includes a pair of relatively thin electromagnets 55 positioned one above the other and each consisting of a metal core 65 about which is wound the usual coil 57. The cores 66 of the electromagnets' form a customary horseshoe magnet by being integral with a connecting member 68 which is secured to a bracket 59, said bracket being provided with an inclined base portion 19 which is adapted to rest upon a supporting block H and be secured theretoby a bolt or the like 52 which passes through a slot 13 in supporting block l l. The position of the electromagnets 55 upon the block ll can be adjusted, upon loosening of the bolt 72, by means of a set screw M passing through an ear 15 formed on the bracket 69 and engaging supporting block 1? i. The supporting block ill for the cutting unit is secured to the end member 35 of supporting frame at by vertical and horizontal bolts or other suit The cutting unit 38 also includes a substan-' tially L-shaped lever 18 comprising a substantially horizontal tool supporting arm 19 and a substantially vertical arm 88, said lever being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon a horizontal pin 8| carried by the depending leg 82 of supporting block 1 I.

The horizontal tool supporting arm 19 01' lever 18 is provided with an offset foot 83 and removably carried thereby is a shoe 84 secured to said foot by a screw or the like 85. Carried at the outer end of said shoe is a cutting ferrule 88 provided at its lower end with a cutting diamond 81, although a rotatable steel cutting wheel may be used if preferred.

The upper end of the vertical arm 88 of lever 18 is bifurcated to provide spaced ears 88 which straddle a sleeve 89, being pivotally secured thereto by a pin 98. The sleeve 89 is slidably mounted upon a split bolt 9I pivoted at its inner end as at 92 to a metal bar or armature 93 which in turn has a pivotal mounting at its upper end, as at 94, with a bracket 95 fixedly carried by the cores 68 of the electromagnets 85. Threaded upon the outer end of the split bolt 9| is a nut 96 and encircling the bolt and bearing at one end against the sleeve 89 and at its opposite end against nut 98 is a compression spring 91 normally tending to urge the sleeve 89 and consequently the upper end of the lever arm 88 inwardly, The pin 98 passes loosely through the slot in the bolt 9|.

Loosely received through the portion 98 of bracket 95 is a screw 99 having secured to its inner end a tension spring I88, the opposite end of said spring being connected to the bar 93 and acting to normally draw the said bar away from and out of engagement with the cores of the electromagnets as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 4. A nut IN is threaded upon the outer end of screw 99 to adjust the tension of spring I 88. Also carried by bracket 95 is a stop screw I82 which serves to limit the outward movement of bar 93 about its pivot 94.

In practice, when the electromagnets 85 are energized, the bar 93 will be, drawn inwardly thereby against the action of spring I 88 and, of course, the inward movementof bar 93 will cause the lever 18 to be rocked in a counter-clockwise direction upon pin 8I which will effect a lowering of the cutting diamond 81 into cutting position. However, upon deenergization of the electromagnets, the spring I88 will function to swing the bar 93 outwardly so as to rock the lever 18 in a clockwise direction and raise the cutting diamond to a non-cutting position. The spring 91 serves to yieldably maintain the diamond in engagement with the glass during the cutting operation, while at the same time allowing a limited amount of rocking movement of the lever 18 to take care of any unevenness in the glass surface.

In other words, the lever 18 is permitted a slight rocking movement even when the bar 93 is held inwardly by the electromagnets.

In order to facilitate the cutting operation and better the action of the cutting diamond or wheel 81, as the case may be, it is desirable to oil the glass sheet along the path to be traveled by the cutting tool. To this end, there is carried by the horizontal arm 19 of L-shaped lever 18 a leg I83 pivoted to said lever as at I84 and carrying at its outer end a roller I85 of felt or some other suitable material. The roller I85 is positioned in alignment with the-cutting tool 81 and is adapted to engage the glass sheet when the said tool is lowered into cutting position, said roller running over the glass in advance of the cutter and oiling the same whereby to facilitate and better the cutting action thereof. The roller I85 is held in yieldable engagement with the glass sheet by a spring I88, while the downward movement thereof is limited by an adjustable set screw I81 carried by leg I83 and engaging a stop pin I88 carried by supporting block 1I.

The pivot point I84 of leg I83 is so positioned with respect to roller I85 that when the cutting tool is lowered into cutting position, the roller will rest upon the glass, whereas when the cutter is raised into non-cutting position, the roller will also be raised upwardly out of contact with the glass as shown by the broken lines in Fig. 4; the said leg I83 being swung about its pivot I84 by engagement of the set screw I81 with stop pin I88. In order to supply the necessary oil to the roller I85, there is securely mounted on the supporting block 1I an oil cup I89 provided at its lower end with a flexible metal tube H8 in which is arranged a wick for conducting the oil from the cup I 89 to the roller I85, said metal tube Ill! being bent so that its outer end is positioned directly above roller I85.

As pointed out above, the endless capping table I2 is preferably driven at a relatively faster speed than the movement of the continuous sheet or ribbon of glass II issuing from the annealing leer I8 so that after a sheet section 29 (Fig. 1) has been cut from the free end of the glass ribbon, the said sheet 29 will be carried forwardly at a relatively faster rate than the ribbon with the result that a relatively narrow gap or space, shown at III, will be provided between the adjacent ends of the sheet 29 and ribbon I I. In order to prevent the cutting diamond 81 from strikin against the forward edge of each glass sheet cut from the glass ribbon I I and being injured thereby and also in order to prevent spalling and chipping of the sheet edges by the cutter, means, generally referred to as feeler means, is herein provided for bringing the cutting diamond into contact with the glass sheet at a point back of the front edge thereof and for lifting the cutter from the glass just before it reaches the rear edge, said feeler means being automatically actuated by forward movement of the glass.

In accordance with the invention, the feeler means comprises two freely rotatable wheels I I2 and H3, preferably provided with rubber tires or coverings so as not to injure the glass surface. The two wheels I I2 and I I3 are mounted for vertical movement at opposite sides of the cutting diamond 81 as shown in Fig. 5, and as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 9 are also ofiset horizontally with respect to one another longitudinally of the capping table so that the glass sheet engages first one wheel and then the other wheel. As shown in the drawings, the'giass sheet 29 will first engage and raise wheel H2 and then wheel H3.

Likewise, wheel II2 will be the first to leave the back edge of the sheet to be followed by wheel H3. The feeler wheels H2 and H3 are also horizontally adjustable longitudinally of the capping table so that the axes of rotation of the wheels will be disposed at opposite sides of the point of contact of the cutting diamond with the glass sheet. The said wheels are electrically connected with the electromagnets 65 so that upon raising and lowering of the wheels the said electromagnets will be successively energized and 'deenergized to automatically move the cutting diamond into and out of engagement with the glass sheetwhen it reaches a predetermined position with respect to the front and back edges thereof.

The means for mounting the feeler wheels II2 and H3 as well as the operation thereof will now be described in detail. Supported upon the end member 35 of the cutter supporting frame 3I, and inwardly of the side members 32 and 33 thereof, are spaced parallel angle irons H4 and I I5 secured in place by bolts or the like I I6 which pass through slots H1 in said end member 35 so that the angle irons can be adjusted longitudinally. Carried by and depending from the angle irons H4 and H5 at the inner ends thereof are vertical members H6 and 9 respectively and carried at the lower ends thereof are horizontal brackets I20 and I2I. Pivoted to the brackets I20 and I2I as at I22 and I23 are the inner ends of the longitudinally extending substantially horizontal lever arms I24 and I25 respectively, carrying yokes I26 and I21 in which are mounted the feeler wheels H2 and H3 respectively, rotatable about the horizontal axes I26 and I29. The lever arms I24 and I25 are pivotally connected at their outer ends by vertical links I30 and I3I to the tiltable mercury switches I32 and I33 respectively carried by the angle irons H4 and H5.

Each mercury switch I32 and I33 consists, as best shown in Figs. 7 and 8, of a relatively short tubular member I34 containing a supply of mercury I35 and carried in a tilting cradle I36 provided at its opposite ends with trunnions I31 and I36 rotatably supported in bearing straps I39 and I40 depending from a horizontal plate I4I secured to the respective angle iron H4 or II5 by bolts or the like I42. The cradle I36 carries at one side thereof a substantially U-shaped bracket I43 including a bottom I44 and two vertical side flanges I45 and I46, the bottom I44 having a slot I41 therein. The links I30 and I3I pivoted to the lever arms I24 and I25 pass upwardly through the slots I41 in the bracketsl43 of the respective mercury switches I32 and I33 and are pivoted upon a transverse rod I46 passing through openings I49 in the side flanges I45 and I46.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 9, the axes of rotation of the feeler wheels II2 and H3 are disposed at opposite sides of the point of contact of the cutting diamond 61 with the glass sheet and in order to provide for independent horizontal adjustment of the wheels to properly position them with respect to the cutting diamond, there are provided adjusting screws I50 and I5I which are threaded horizontally through the end member 35 and are provided at their inner ends with reduced portions I52 which pass loosely through the vertical members H6 and H9 and have secured thereto collars I53. Upon rotation of the adjusting screws I50 and I5I the wheels II2 and H3 can be adjusted horizontally with respect to one another, said screws being held by lock nuts I54. The downward movement of feeler wheels I 52 and I I3 is limited by stop screws I55 threaded vertically through the brackets I20 and I2I and engaging the top of the lever arms I24 and I25 inwardly of their pivot points I22 and I23 as best shown in Fi 4..

The mercury switches E32 and I33 are each provided with a pair of contacts I56 and I51 adjacent the opposite ends of the tubular member I35 and electrically connected with the electromagnets 65. The tubular member I34 is provided interiorly thereof and at a point intermediate its ends with a transverse V-shaped partition or baiiie I56 terminating in a knife edge I59 which inclines upwardly from one side of said tubular member to the other. In the operation of this type of switch, when the tubular member I34 is in the position indicated in Fig. 8, the supply of mercury I35 will extend unbrokenly from one end to the opposite end thereof so as to engage both contacts I56 and I51 where,- by to complete a circuit from one contact to the other. However, when the tubular member is tilted to the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 8, the supply of mercury will be' divided by the baflie I56 and caused to flow to the opposite ends of said tubular member thereby breaking the circuit between the contacts I56 and I 51.

With particular reference to Fig. 9, it will be seen that one of the contacts I56 and I51 of mercury switch I33 is connected with the positive main line I60 by a wire I6I, while the other contact of said switch is connected with one of the contacts of mercury switch I32 by a wire I62. A wire I63 runs from the second contact of switch I32 to the electromagnets which are in turn connected by a wire I64 to the negative main line I65 to complete the circuit through the electromagnets and mercury switches. With this arrangement, the electromagnets 65 will not be energized until both feeler wheels II2 and H3 have been moved upwardly by the glass to close both mercury switches I32 and On the other hand, just as soon as one of the feeler wheels drops downwardly off of the glass to open one of said switches, the circuit through the electromagnets will be broken.

In operation, and assuming the glass is moving to the left as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 9, when the forward edge of the sheet 29 raises the feeler wheel II2 the mercury switch I32 will be closed but because mercury switch I33 is still open the electromagnets 65 will not be energized. However, upon continued movement of the glass sheet to raise the feeler wheel II3, the mercury switch I33 will also be closed and the circuit thereby completed through the electromagnets. When this occurs, the bar 93 of the cutting unit 36 will be drawn inwardly to swing the lever 16 in a counter-clockwise direction and thereby lower the cutting diamond 81 into engagement with the glass. Since the cutting diamond 01 has passed over the front edge of the glass sheet before the said sheet engages feeler wheel II3, the cutting diamond upon being lower will be brought into contact with the glass at a point back of the front edge thereof so that the danger of the diamond striking the front edge of the sheet and being injured thereby, as well as causing spalling and chipping of the sheet edge is prevented. Likewise, as the glass has been cut transversely and the individual sheet 29 moved forwardly and separated from the ribbon II, the feeler wheel II2 will fall off the back edge of the sheet before the cutting diamond 01 reaches the said back edge and just as soon as wheel II2 moves downwardly, the mercury switch I32 will be automatically opened thereby deenergizing the electromagnets and causing the cutting diamond to be automatically returned to non-cutting position by the spring I00 drawing the bar 93 outwardly and swinging the lever 18 in a clockwise direction. Thus, by suitably adjusting horizontally the position of the feeler wheels III and H8 relative to the cutting diamond 81, the diamond can be brought into contact with the glass sheet at a point back of the front edge thereof and moved out of contact with the sheet at a point in front of the back edge.

After the glass sheet 28 has passed beneath the cutting unit 88 and been split longitudinally thereby, the said sheet is adapted to be cracked longitudinally along the score line III and for this purpose suitable breaking apparatus is mounted beneath the upper run of the capping table. With reference particularly to Figs. 2, 3, and 6, there is provided beneath the table and at opposite sides of the score line 88 the two breaking units I88 and I81, each comprising a pair of longitudinally extending strips I88 between which are arranged a plurality oi freely rotatable breaking rollers I88 mounted upon pins 118. The strips I88 of breaking unit I88 are carried adjacent their opposite ends by levers HI and I12 pivoted at their upper ends as at I18 and 118 to said strips and fixed at their lower ends upon transverse horizontal shafts I18 and I18 respectively.

The strips I88 of breaking unit I81 are carried adjacent their opposite ends by levers I11 and I18, said levers being pivoted at their upper ends to the said strips and fixed intermediate their ends upon the shafts"! and I18 respectively, the lower ends of levers I11 and I18 carrying counterweights I18 and I88 which facilitate the raising of the breaking rollers. The shafts I18 and -I18 are journaled in pairs of spaced bearings I8! and I82 respectively carried by longitudinally extending strips I88 and I88 clamped adjacent their opposite ends to one pair of angle members I8 and 28 by clamping plates I88 and I88 and screws I81. One of the shafts I18 or I18, and as here shown shaft I18 extends transversely to one side of the capping table, passing through a bearing I88, and provided at its outer end with an operating handle I88. With this construction, upon turning of the shaft I18, both breaking units I88 and I81 will be simultaneously raised and the rollers I88 thereof engaging the sheet 28 at opposite sides of the score line 88 will cause the said sheet to be lifted up and broken along the score line as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 3. When the breaking rollers I188 are in lowered position, they are supported by compression springs I9I and I8! encircling vertical pins I88 and I84 carried by transverse plates I85 and I88 which extend between and are secured to the longitudinally extending strips I88 and I88 secured to the angle beams I8 and 28.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same. and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for cutting traveling sheet glass or the like, a cutting tool, electrically operated means for actuating said cutting tool to lower it into cutting position, a pair of feeler wheels horizontally positioned at opposite sides of the cutting tool, means for mounting said feeler wheels for vertical movement independently of one another so that they are successively raised by the traveling sheet, and means for electrically connecting said feeler wheels to said cutter actuating means in such a manner that the said cutter actuating means will not be operated until both feeler wheels have been raised by the sheet.

2. In apparatus for cutting traveling sheet glass or the like, a cutting tool, electrically operated means for actuating said cutting tool to lower it into cutting position, a pair of feeler wheels, horizontally positioned at opposite sides of the cutting tool and adapted to be successively raised by the traveling sheet, means for electrically connecting said feeler wheels to said cutter actuating means in such a manner that the said cutter actuating means will not be operated until both feeler wheels have been raised by the sheet. and means for adjusting said feeler wheels horizontally relative to one another and with respect to the cutting tool.

3. In apparatus for cutting traveling sheet glass or the like, a cutting tool, electrically operated means for actuating said cutting tool to lower it into cutting position, a pair of feeler wheels horizontally positioned at opposite sides of the cutting tool and adapted to be successively raised by the traveling sheet, and means for electrically connecting said feeler wheels to said cutter actuating means including a pair of switches, one for each feeler wheel, operable so that the cutter actuating means will not be operated until both feeler wheels have been raised by the sheet to close both switches.

4. In apparatus for cutting traveling sheet glass or the like, a cutting tool, electrically operated means for actuating said cutting tool to lower it into cutting position, a pair of feeler wheels horizontally positioned at opposite sides of the cutting tool and adapted to be successively raised by the traveling sheet, means for electrically connecting said feeler wheels to said cutter actuating means including a pair of switches, one for each feeler wheel, operable so that the cutter actuating means will not be operated until both feeler wheels have been raised by the sheet to close both switches, and means for adjusting said feeler wheels horizontally relative to one another and with respect to the cutting tool.

5. In apparatus for cutting traveling sheet glass or the like, a cutting tool, electrically operated means for actuating said cutting tool to lower it into cutting position, including an electromagnet, a pair of feeler wheels horizontally positioned at opposite sides of the cutting tool and adapted to be successively raised by the traveling sheet, and means for electrically connecting said feeler wheels to said electromagnet'ineluding a switch arranged in series with the. electromagnet and adapted to be closed upon raising of the feeler wheels to cause the energization of the said electromagnet.

6. In apparatus for cutting traveling sheet glass or the like, a cutting tool, electrically operated means for actuating said cutting tool to lower it into cutting position, including'an electromagnet, a pair of feeler wheels horizontally positioned at opposite sides of the cutting tool and adapted to be successively raised by the traveling sheet, means for electrically connecting said feeler wheels to said electromagnet including a switch arranged in series with the electromagnet and adapted to be closed upon raising of the feeler wheels to cause the energization of the said electromagnet, and means for adjusting said feeler wheels horizontally relative to one another and with respect to the cutting tool.

7. In apparatus for cutting traveling sheet glass or the like, a cutting tool, pivotally mounted means for supporting said cutting tool, electromagnets adapted, when energized, to eflect the operation of said cutter supporting means to lower the cutting tool into contact with the sheet, a pair of feeler wheelshorizontally positioned at opposite sides of the cutting tool and adapted to be successively raised by the traveling sheet, and means for electrically connecting said feeler wheels to said electromagnets including a pair of switches, one for each feeler wheel, arranged in series with the electromagnets so that the said electromagnets will not be energized until both feeler wheels have been raised by the sheet'.'

8. In apparatus for cutting traveling sheet glass or the like; a cutting tool, pivotally mounted means for supporting said cutting tool, electromagnets adapted, when energized, to eflect the operation of said cutter supporting means to lower the cutting tool into contact with the sheet, a pair of feeler wheels horizonally positioned at opposite sides of the cutting tool and adapted to be successively raised by the traveling sheet, means for electrically connecting said feeler wheels to said electromagnets including .a pair of switches, one for each feeler wheel, arranged in series with the electromagnets so that the said electromagnets will not be energized until both feeler wheels have been raised by the sheet, and means for adjusting said feeler wheels horizontally relative to one another and with respect to the cutting tool.

JOHN H. MOLLER. 

